On Thursday Nov 9 ‘MJ Live’, A Michael Jackson tribute performance group made an appearance at the Fox Theater in Hutchinson, Kansas. A man by the name of Jalles Franca played the king himself.
He is a performer from Brazil who made his way to Vegas to continue his career in professional dancing. Franca has won numerous contests for “Best Michael Jackson Impersonator,” Best overall “look” and “Best Moonwalk.” He even has billed himself as “MJ THE LEGEND”.
‘MJ Live’ performs in Vegas at the Stratosphere hotel for the majority of the year. They are also available to be booked out by request.
Throughout the performance Franca, and the other group members, performed a series of world famous Michael Jackson songs that had the crowd up and singing along. The group even dressed the part per song. Included in the set was Bad, Billie Jean, Beat It, Dangerous, Smooth Criminal, Black & White, I Want You Back, Thriller, and many more.
A portion of the performance was dedicated to the Jackson 5 singing ABC as well as other hits from the group. Throughout the night Franca joked with the audience, brought children to the stage to show off their skills, and threw out personal mementos to the lucky ones front stage.
Overall, the performance put on by this group was a show stopper. I would highly recommend this show to anyone who enjoys Michael Jackson, and the 80’s. The dancing made a huge impact on the show as well. Franca and the others really pulled out the stops and put on an amazing performance.
Being a Michael Jackson fan for years, I enjoyed every single minute of it. But the most exciting part of the night was when I got to meet Franca, or should I say, Michael Jackson, myself. Meeting the legend, or at least someone who very much resembled him was memorable to say the least.
I have to hand it to Franca. He waited and spoke to every single person who wanted to meet him after the performance. This took close to 2.5 hours to get everyone through, and he was still as personal to the last people, as he was to the first. He took the time to take photos, and sign autographs for each person, as well as making connections with many of them.
This is what keeping a legend alive is about.
-Taryn Gillespie
